Oldest known example of snowshoe found in Italy, kept as a curio

World's oldest snowshoe found on a glacier in Italy's Dolomites

Very cool. I think I will stick to the more modern version I have but I must admit the simplicity is elegant.

More below.

Many years ago when the kids were little, wife, and I would split a ski lift ticket, each skiing half a day, while the other watched one, or both kids.We would stay in the motorhome up at the Mt. Bachelor ski area usually for 3-7 days. When it was my turn to watch, I usually skied first shift, I would quickly make dinner, and toss it in the motorhome fridge. Then free for the remainder of the afternoon, I would gear up, and head out for a couple of miles of snowshoeing around the ski area, and frequently out into the back country. The dog loved it, I enjoyed it, and I would toss the kid in a backpack on my back. Our kids are 6 years apart so either I had Maddogson only, or Maddogsdatir only, since once son turned 3 he began skiing in the the afternoon went to the ski school (same for Maddogsdatir). Once in ski school, I had time to snowshoe with just the dog  until about 3:30 when ski school ended. Then I would pick up the appropriate kid - I would take the younger datir, wife would ski with older son.

I don't do this anymore, and writing about it I realized I missed it. It was fun, and a change from skiing. Plus, it gave good me quality time with son, or datir all alone. It is clear today that I bonded very well with both kids, we have excellent relationships, some of this I attribute to personality, but much to the fact that the kids and I spent a many hours of time every week alone doing fun outdoorsy things together. 

Spending 3-4 hours snowshoeing with a child on my back kept me in good shape. We also went places where no one else at the ski area went. We had fun, it was a good time. The dog and I slept well.

I would recommend to anyone who can the motorhome ski camping experience, the snowshoeing experience, and the teaching the kids to ski experience as well. We had nights so cold and windy the water in the motorhome froze, and we had spring weather so nice we were riding bikes late into the evening. There is nothing like huddling together eating a good hot chili, or stew, watching Shrek DVD after a hard day of skiing in a 55 square foot "family room." Hard not to bond when the furthest one can get away is barely touching!